French citizens were at the polls on June 10 to vote in parliamentary elections that could determine whether the country's new president wins support for proposals to tax the rich and improve working reconditions for the country's middle class.

Socialist Francois Hollande defeated right-wing leader Nicolas Sarkozy in the presidential vote last month but currently faces a conservative majority in the country's National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.

Turnout by midday was 21 percent, slightly less that at the same time during the last parliamentary poll, in 2007.

Polls ahead of the vote suggested the Socialists might be able to secure a functioning majority with the Green Party and other coalition partners.

Hollande has overseen a series of popular measures aimed at building support for the Socialists, including a 30-percent pay cut for government ministers and lowering the retirement age for some workers from 62 to 60.